Umbilical cord clamp

ABSTRACT

An umbilical cord clamp for closing the cord stump on a newborn infant. The clamp has a pair of opposing clamping members biased into an open, inclined position by a spring interconnecting first ends of the members and is closed by locking second, free ends of the members together. The members define a first set of interengaging channels and coacting protrusions which are perpendicular to the stump and a second set of coacting channels and protrusions which are transverse to the first set. Sections of the cord are biased into the first and second channels to thereby fold the cord in transverse directions and prevent the clamp from slipping along or transversely to the cord stump.

Sarracino I United States Patent [54] UMBILICAL CORD CLAMP Filed:

Appl. No.: 120,948

Inventor: John B. Sarracino, 4309 Forest wood Drive, San Jose, Calif.95121 March 4, 1971 US. Cl ..128/346, 24/248 BB, 24/259 A Int. Cl...A6lb 17/08 Field of Search "128/346, 321, 326, 325;

24/73 LF, 248 BB, 259 A References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Schneider..l28/346 McGuinness ..128/346 X Kortlucke et al ..l28/346 Posse..128/346 X Pettit 128/346 Ziegler 128/346 [451 Dec. 12, 1972 3,315,6794/1967 Sarracino 1 28/346 Primary Examiner-Dalton L. TruluckAttorney-Townsend & Townsend [57] ABSTRACT An umbilical cord clamp forclosing the cord stump on a newborn infant. The clamp has a pair ofopposing clamping members biased into an open, inclined position by aspring interconnecting first ends of the members and is closed bylocking second, free ends of the members together. The members define afirst set of interengaging channels and coacting protrusions which areperpendicular to the stump and a second set of coactingchannels andprotrusions which are transverse to the first set. Sections of the cordare biased into the first and second channels to thereby fold the cordin transverse directions and prevent the clamp from slipping along ortransversely to the cord stump.

12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures UMBILICAL CORD CLAMP BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to a clamp for securely sealing anumbilical cord stump on a newborn infant. Secure closure and sealing ofthe cord stump is essential to promote rapid healing of the stumpwithout infection. Furthermore, the closure of the stump is preferablyrapidly effected'to minimize discomfort to the infant.

Such clamps are known in the prior art. A particularly useful clamp isdescribed in my US. Pat. No. 3,315,679 in which ajaw like clamp isprovided with interengaging serrations. The clamp has some resiliency sothat upon its closure on a cord stump the cord is not severed. The clampdescribed in that patent is convenient to use, is rapidly applied to thecord stump for the above referred to comfort of the infant, andisinexpensive to construct. Such clamps represent a substantialimprovement over clamps theretofore known.

However, the clamps described in the above referenced patent are not assecure as is desired when applied to the cord stump. In particular,while the ser-' rations prevent movement of the clamp transverse to thecord stump, the serrations have a substantially lesser holding poweragainst movements along the cord stump. Since the clamp remains on theinfant for relatively long periods of time, say for several days, itmust hold during all movements of the infant. The clamp described inthat patent does not have as good a holding power as might sometimes berequired. Under adverse conditions it can slip off the end of the cordstump.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a clamp forclosing an umbilical cord stump which is convenient to use, inexpensiveto manufacture and which is securely retained to the cord. Briefly, aclamp constructed in accordance with the invention comprises a pair ofopposing first and second members that have first and second cooperatingportions for compression of the cord stump therebetween. The firstportions form first folded stump sections extending in a firstdirection, and the second portions form second folded stump sectionsextending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the firstdirection. Means is further provided for resiliently biasing the memberstowards each other to fold the stump sections between the portions.Slippage of the clamp in the direction of the stump or in a directiontransverse thereto is thus prevented.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and secondportions are defined by a plurality of sets of spaced apart firstprotrusions on the first member that face towards the second member todefine first channels extending in the direction of the length of themembers. The first protrusions define operative ends and the effectivewidth of the first member. A central ridge depends from the secondmember and is positioned to cooperate with the first channels to biassections of the umbilical cord into the first channels by folding thesections in a first direction parallel to the members. The ridgeincludes at least one notch defining at least one second channelpositioned substantially perpendicular to the first channels and locatedbetween ends of the protrusion sets. A number of second ridges equallingthe number of notches depend from the first member, are positionedbetween protrusion sets and extend transversely to the first channelsand the ridge for cooperation with the slots and for biasing othersections of the cord into the slots by folding the other sections in adirection transverse to the members.

Umbilical cord clamps constructed in accordance with the inventionprovide a firm grip on the cord stump and prevent clamp slippage ineither direction. The channels and coacting ridges are so constructedthat there is space between them to accommodate the cord sectionswithout their rupture, puncture, shearing or incising. The clamp canremain on the cord for as long as required without danger of slippingalong the cord stump or transversely thereto and becoming accidentallydisengaged. The clamp can be snapped onto the cord stump immediatelyafter birth for maximum efficiency and preventing the infant fromsuffering discomfort. Thus, umbilical cord clamps constructed inaccordance with the invention are a substantial improvement over suchclamps heretofore available.

In another embodiment of the invention the first and second cooperatingstump compressing portions are each arranged on one side of thelongitudinal middle of the clamp members. In use, the clamp middle isaligned with the center of the stump and the clamp is closed so that itis gripped byboth portions and prevented from moving along or transverseto the stump.

In still a further embodiment of the invention the clamp members areprovided with protrusions and matching grooves that extend over the fulleffective length of the clamp. Such grooves prevent clamp slippage alongthe stump and are particularly useful in instances where the clampsremain on the stump for a short period only. Such clamps are furthervery economical to construct.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a newborn infant and aclamp constructed in accordance with the invention secured to hisumbilical cord stump;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the clamp illustrated in FIG. 1 andshows the open position in phantom lines; I 7

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional elevation of the clamp taken on lines 3-3 ofFIG. 2 and shows the gripped and folded umbilical cord in phantom lines;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevational view showing themeans for gripping the cord stump in transverse direction in greaterdetail;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 2 but on a reducedscale and illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which stumpengaging protrusions run parallel to the length of the clamp;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, in section, and is taken on line 6-6of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 2, but on a reducedscale, and shows yet another embodiment of the invention withdifferently arranged transverse cord gripping means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, aclamp 6 constructed in accordance with the invention comprises a pair ofjaws 8 and 10 that are biased into an open position (identified with 88in FIG. 2) by a spring 12 connected to an end of each jaw. The clamp isapplied to an umbilical cord stump 14 of a newborn infant 16 and islocked in its closed position by engaging free end 18 of jaw 8 with aconcave portion 20 of hook 22 mounted to jaw 10. The jaws are defined byelongate clamping members of bars 24 and 26, respectively, which definelocking means 28 that prevent movement of the camp along or transverseto cord stump 14 to thereby securely retain the clamp to the stump.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, clamping bars 24 and 26 are positionedabout midway between ends ofjaws 8 and 10. The inner ends of the bars(facing spring 12) are connected with ends of the spring via short,reduced diameter posts 30. Relatively springy or resilient pins 32project from the other ends of the bars. One of the pins mounts hook 22which extends forward of the end of the other pin for releasablyengaging the other pin to close the clamp and resiliently bias theclamping bars 24, 26 towards each other.

Upper (as viewed in FIGS. 2 through 4) clamping bar 24 includes aplurality of preferably four centered and aligned downwardly dependingridges or protrusions 34 which extend substantially over the length ofthe cross bar 24. The protrusions are separated by generally V- shapedtransverse grooves or slots 36, the axes of which are perpendicular tothe longitudinal extent of the ridges. For purposes more fully describedhereinafter, the ridges terminate in tapered sides 38 which meet inrelatively sharp but radiused ridge edges 40.

The side of lower (as viewed in FIGS. 2 through 4) clamping bar 26facing upwardly towards the other clamping bar includes a plurality ofaligned, longitudinally spaced apart channels 42 which have a lengthabout equal to the length of ridges 34 and which are positioned so thatthe ridges enter the channels when jaws 8 and 10 of clamp 6 are closed.The channels are defined by laterally spaced upright walls 44 which alsoterminate in tapered sides 46 that meet at relatively sharp but radiusedchannel wall edges 48. The depth of channels 42 and the transversespacing of channel walls 44 is slightly greater than the height and thewidth, respectively, of ridges 34 so that there remain voids between thechannels and the ridges when the clamp is closed.

Lower cross bar 26 also includes a plurality of transversely orientedupwardly extending protrusions 50 positioned between channels 42 andextending substantially perpendicular to the length of the channels.Protrusions 50 have a lesser cross section than the cross section ofslots 36 and a height so that the protrusions do not contact the slotsand the upper cross bar 24 when the clamp is closed. The protrusionsalso include tapered sides that meet at relatively sharp but radiusedtop edges 52.

In use, clamp 6 is opened by disengaging the free end of pin 32projecting from upper clamping bar 24 so that spring 12 can bias thebars into the inclined position as illustrated in phantom lines in FIG.2. The clamp is applied by placing the open jaws 8 and 10 over theinfants umbilical cord stump 14 rearwardly of the severed stump end. Theclamp is then closed by compressing the jaws towards each other andengaging the free ends of pin 32 protruding from clamping bar 24 inconcave portion 20 of book 22.

As the jaws are compressed, the umbilical cord is first flattened andsections thereof are then deformed in two perpendicular directions byfolding such sections about ridges 34 and protrusions 50 into channels42 and slots 36. The voids remaining between the channels and the ridgesand between the protrusions and the slots become filled with the foldedcord sections. Excessive compression of the cord, which can result inits rupture and/or puncture, is thereby avoided. Furthermore, thefolding of the cord sections into the voids eliminates high pressureareas and large forces which can permanently deform the clamp and makeits closure difficult. The formation of the sharp but radiused edges onthe ridges and transverse protrusions of the jaws facilitates thefolding of the cord sections into the channels and the slots whilepreventing incisions into the cord sections from knife edges and thelike.-

For practical use of the clamp on newborn infants the length of crossbars 24 and 26 is preferably between about 20 to 30 millimeters. Thelongitudinal ridges 34 and transverse protrusions 50 are equally spacedover the length of the cross bars. It is preferred to place a ridge34-channel 42 combination at each end of the cross bars so that there isone more ridge-channel combination than there are protrusion SO-slot 36combinations. This facilitates the ease with which the clamp is appliedand closed by providing a greater transverse moment which tends to alignthe cross bars 24 and 26 and bias free pin 32 into concave portion 20 ofhook 22.

Referring to FIG. 7, in another embodiment of the invention, anumbilical cord clamp 54 is identically constructed as clamp 6 shown inFIG. 2, and thus includes spring 12, a pair of cross bars 24 and 26,posts 30 connecting the cross bars with the end of the spring, pins 32at the other end of the cross bar and a hook 22 for retaining the crossbars in their closed position as above described. One of the interfaces56 of the cross bars, however, includes a set of longitudinalprotrusions 58 which nest in matching longitudinal grooves 60 of theopposing interface, and relatively short transverse protrusions 62 whichnest in corresponding transverse grooves 64 of the opposing interface.Each set of protrusions and matching grooves is disposed on one side ofan imaginary longitudinal center line 66 of cross bars 24 and 26.

In use, clamp 54 is placed over the infants umbilical cord stump so thatcenter line 66 of cross bars 24 and 26 overlies the stump and ispreferably substantially aligned with the stump center. The clamp isthen closed whereby the stump is gripped by both the longitudinal andtransverse protrusions and grooves. Clamp movements in the direction ofthe stump as well as transver sely thereto are thereby prevented.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, another, simplified embodiment of theinvention is particularly well adapted for brief applications of theclamp to the stump and for preventing the clamp from slipping off thefree stump end. The simplified clamp again comprises a spring 12 towhich cross bars 24 and 26 are attached and which is closed by engagingpin 32 and hook 22. One of the interfaces 68 of the clamp includeslongitudinally extending protrusions 70 which nest in matchinglongitudinal grooves 72 of the other interface and which extend over thefull effective clamp length, that is over the full length of cross bars24 and 26. At least one cooperating protrusion-groove set is provided.Preferably, however, two or more cooperating sets are employed to moresecurely close the umbilical cord stump and to more firmly grasp thestump.

In use, the clamp illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 is applied to the infantsumbilical cord stump as heretofore described. The cooperatinglongitudinal protrusion 70 and groove 72 fold the stump about theprotrusion and into the groove and prevent slippage of the clamp alongthe cord stump.

Iclaim:

l. A clamp for closing an umbilical cord stump on a newborn infant andfor securing the clamp to the stump to prevent longitudinal or lateralmotions of the clamp on the stump comprising: a pair of substantiallystraight first and second members, spring means connected with firstends of the members and biasing the members into a mutually inclinedposition, lock means on one of said members for retaining the membersagainst the force of the spring means substantially parallel and inclose proximity, and umbilical cord gripping and closing means definedby the members and including at least one first protrusion and acorresponding first groove on the first and second members,respectively, extending longitudinally of the members over a portion ofthe length of the members transversely to the cord stump, at least onesecond protrusion and a corresponding second groove defined by themembers, the second protrusion and the second groove being positioned atan end of and substantially contiguous with the first groove and thefirst protrusion and extending perpendicular to the first groove andprotrusion across substantially the full width of the members wherebyclosure of the clamp over a stump folds the stump in perpendiculardirections to thereby firmly grip and close the cord and prevent clampslippage along the cord or perpendicular thereto.

2. A clamp according to claim 1 wherein the members are elongate andwherein about one-half of the members include a first groove and a firstprotrusion and another half of the members include a plurality of secondgrooves and second protrusions.

3. A clamp according to claim 2 wherein the first and second grooves andprotrusions meet at about the center of the length of the members.

4. A clamp according to claim 1 wherein the first and second grooves andprotrusions are alternatingly positioned on the members one behind theother.

5. An umbilical cord clamp comprising first and second transverseclamping bars, means for resiliently biasing the clamping bars towardseach other, and antislippage cord closing means including at least twospaced apart first channel members extending parallel to and connectedwith one of the first and second bars and facing towards the other oneof the clamping bars, a second channel member extending substantiallyperpendicularly to the first channel members, the second channel memberbeing connected to one of the first and second bars, extendingsubstantially fully across the width of such bar, being positioned at aspace between the first channel members and facing the other one of theclamping bars, at least two spaced apart first protrusions extending inthe direction of the bars for cooperation with and for biasing a sectionof the cord into the first channel members to thereby firmly grip thesection and prevent the clamp from slipping along the cord, the firstprotrusions being secured to the clamping bar opposing the first channelmembers, and a second protrusion extending substantially perpendicularto the bars for cooperation with and for biasing another section of thecord into the second channel member to thereby further grip the cord andprevent the clamp from slipping on the cord in a transverse direction,the second protrusion being secured to the clamping bar at a locationopposing the second channel member.

6. A clamp according to claim 5 including a plurality of first andsecond channel members and a corresponding plurality. of first andsecond protrusions, the mem' bers and protrusions being serially andalternatingly arranged along the bars.

7. A clamp according to claim 6 wherein the number of first channelmembers and first protrusions exceeds the number of second channelmembers and second protrusions by one.

8. A clamp according to claim 6 wherein the channel members and theprotrusions include wall means defined by surfaces tapering towards theopposing bar, and including radiused surfaces interconnecting thesurfaces and defining umbilical cord engaging edges incapable ofincising the cord sections.

9. A clamp according to claim 6 wherein the first channel member andprotrusion has a length substan tially greater than the length of thesecond channel member and protrusion.

10. A clamp for closing an umbilical cord stump on a newborn infantcomprising: a pair of substantially straight first and second members,spring means connected with first ends of the members and biasing themembers into a mutually inclined position, lock means on one of saidmembers for retaining the members against the force of .the spring meanssubstantially parallel and in close proximity, and umbilical cordgripping and closing means defined by the members and including aplurality of sets of spaced apart first protrusions on the first member,facing towards the second member and defining first channels extendingin the direction of the length of the members, the first protrusionsdefining operative ends of the first member and the effective width ofthe first member, a central ridge depending from the second member andpositioned to cooperate with the first channels to bias sections of theumbilical cord into the first channels by folding the sections in afirst direction parallel to the members, the ridge including at leastone notch defining at least one second channel positioned substantiallyperpendicular to the first channels and located between ends of theprotrusion sets, a number of second ridges equalling the number ofnotches depending from the first member, positioned between theprotrusion sets and extending transversely to the first channels and theridge for cooperation with the slots and biasing other sections of thecord into the slots by folding the other sections in a directiontransverse to the members, whereby application of the clamp over anumbilical cord stump and closure of the clamp folds the cord intransverse directions into the channels and the slots to firmly grip andclose the cord and prevent clamp slippage along the cord orperpendicular thereto.

section of the first channels and of the slots to facilitate the foldingof the cord sections into the channels and the slots and prevent cordrupture and clamp sticking and deformation.

IOGOIO 0167

1. A clamp for closing an umbilical cord stump on a newborn infant andfor securing the clamp to the stump to prevent longitudinal or lateralmotions of the clamp on the stump comprising: a pair of substantiallystraight first and second members, spring means connected with firstends of the members and biasing the members into a mutually inclinedposition, lock means on one of said members for retaining the membersagainst the force of the spring means substantially parallel and inclose proximity, and umbilical cord gripping and closing means definedby the members and including at least one first protrusion and acorresponding first groove on the first and second members,respectively, extending longitudinally of the members over a portion ofthe length of the members transversely to the cord stump, at least onesecond protrusion and a corresponding second groove defined by themembers, the second protrUsion and the second groove being positioned atan end of and substantially contiguous with the first groove and thefirst protrusion and extending perpendicular to the first groove andprotrusion across substantially the full width of the members wherebyclosure of the clamp over a stump folds the stump in perpendiculardirections to thereby firmly grip and close the cord and prevent clampslippage along the cord or perpendicular thereto.
 2. A clamp accordingto claim 1 wherein the members are elongate and wherein about one-halfof the members include a first groove and a first protrusion and anotherhalf of the members include a plurality of second grooves and secondprotrusions.
 3. A clamp according to claim 2 wherein the first andsecond grooves and protrusions meet at about the center of the length ofthe members.
 4. A clamp according to claim 1 wherein the first andsecond grooves and protrusions are alternatingly positioned on themembers one behind the other.
 5. An umbilical cord clamp comprisingfirst and second transverse clamping bars, means for resiliently biasingthe clamping bars towards each other, and anti-slippage cord closingmeans including at least two spaced apart first channel membersextending parallel to and connected with one of the first and secondbars and facing towards the other one of the clamping bars, a secondchannel member extending substantially perpendicularly to the firstchannel members, the second channel member being connected to one of thefirst and second bars, extending substantially fully across the width ofsuch bar, being positioned at a space between the first channel membersand facing the other one of the clamping bars, at least two spaced apartfirst protrusions extending in the direction of the bars for cooperationwith and for biasing a section of the cord into the first channelmembers to thereby firmly grip the section and prevent the clamp fromslipping along the cord, the first protrusions being secured to theclamping bar opposing the first channel members, and a second protrusionextending substantially perpendicular to the bars for cooperation withand for biasing another section of the cord into the second channelmember to thereby further grip the cord and prevent the clamp fromslipping on the cord in a transverse direction, the second protrusionbeing secured to the clamping bar at a location opposing the secondchannel member.
 6. A clamp according to claim 5 including a plurality offirst and second channel members and a corresponding plurality of firstand second protrusions, the members and protrusions being serially andalternatingly arranged along the bars.
 7. A clamp according to claim 6wherein the number of first channel members and first protrusionsexceeds the number of second channel members and second protrusions byone.
 8. A clamp according to claim 6 wherein the channel members and theprotrusions include wall means defined by surfaces tapering towards theopposing bar, and including radiused surfaces interconnecting thesurfaces and defining umbilical cord engaging edges incapable ofincising the cord sections.
 9. A clamp according to claim 6 wherein thefirst channel member and protrusion has a length substantially greaterthan the length of the second channel member and protrusion.
 10. A clampfor closing an umbilical cord stump on a newborn infant comprising: apair of substantially straight first and second members, spring meansconnected with first ends of the members and biasing the members into amutually inclined position, lock means on one of said members forretaining the members against the force of the spring meanssubstantially parallel and in close proximity, and umbilical cordgripping and closing means defined by the members and including aplurality of sets of spaced apart first protrusions on the first member,facing towards the second member and defining first channels extendingin the direction of the length of the members, the first protrusionsdefining operative ends of the first member and the effective width ofthe first member, a central ridge depending from the second member andpositioned to cooperate with the first channels to bias sections of theumbilical cord into the first channels by folding the sections in afirst direction parallel to the members, the ridge including at leastone notch defining at least one second channel positioned substantiallyperpendicular to the first channels and located between ends of theprotrusion sets, a number of second ridges equalling the number ofnotches depending from the first member, positioned between theprotrusion sets and extending transversely to the first channels and theridge for cooperation with the slots and biasing other sections of thecord into the slots by folding the other sections in a directiontransverse to the members, whereby application of the clamp over anumbilical cord stump and closure of the clamp folds the cord intransverse directions into the channels and the slots to firmly grip andclose the cord and prevent clamp slippage along the cord orperpendicular thereto.
 11. A clamp according to claim 10 including meanson the protrusions and ridges preventing the formation of sharp edgesthat can pierce or incice the cord.
 12. A clamp according to claim 10wherein the ridges have a lesser cross section than the clear crosssection of the first channels and of the slots to facilitate the foldingof the cord sections into the channels and the slots and prevent cordrupture and clamp sticking and deformation.